EUROPE HISTORY STUDY GUIDE FACTS
SS6H6a. Identify the causes of European exploration and colonization; include religion, natural
resources, a market for goods, and the contributions of Prince Henry the Navigator.
Reasons for Exploration (traveling to another place to learn about it)
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God – Religion – Christianity
Gold – Wealth - Land, Natural Resources & Market for goods
Glory – Honor, Praise & Recognition
Prince Henry the Navigator - Portugal
Contributions:
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Training School for Navigators
Navigation Advancements such as Map Makers and Ships [caravel]
Reasons for Colonization
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Natural Resources
Riches (gold, spices – mainly from Asia)
Trading Posts & Market for Goods
Missionaries seeking to convert conquered people to Christianity
Aided in empire building
SS6H6b. Trace the empires of Portugal, Spain, England, and France in Asia, Africa, and the
Americas
Trace empire of Portugal
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In Africa
In the Americas
Trace empire of Spain
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In Africa
In the Americas
Trace empire of England (British) largest empire
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In Asia
In Africa
In the Americas
Trace empire of France
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In Asia
In Africa
In the Americas
SS6H6d. Explain the impact of European empire building in Africa and Asia
Basic understanding of the events leading up to WWI (late 19th Century)
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Militarism – building up of military, preparing for war
Alliances – countries agree to work together for a common purpose (assist in time of need or war)
Imperialism – nation(s) expanding empire with the ability to control other nations (usually weaker or smaller
Nationalism – extreme pride in your country willing to defend it no matter the cost (money, life, etc.)
Colonialism leads to Imperialism
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Competition & Demand for raw materials and cheap labor – Industrial Revolution
Market for products - Rivalry over land leads to distrust between countries
“Scramble for Africa”
Impact of Empire building on WWI on the outbreak of WWI.
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Countries wanted to control more territory so they expanded their empires.
The significance of money, land, and resources to a country’s strength and power.
Fierce rivalries developed between European powers over colonial territories, and they built up strong armies
and navies to protect their interests.
Competition and distrust lead to conflict
SS6H7a. Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, The
Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism.
Basic understanding of the events during and following World War I (began 1914)
Russian Revolution (1917) - Differences in Economic Classes
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Causes: Food shortages; Coal shortages; Homelessness; Exhausted by war; Ruled by powerful & wealthy ruler
(czar) that ignored the needs of the common people
Effects: Workers united; Overthrew monarchy; ruler and his family were executed; Communist group took
power; Soviet Union was established
Russia dropped out of WWI
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
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Germany had to accept responsibility for war
Germany had to give up land and pay reparations for loss and damage which further damaged Germany’s
economy
Germany had to limit armed forces and stop producing war materials
Effects on Germany
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Germany was isolated from and distrusted by other countries
Caused German resentment and protest
Later opened way for Hitler & Nazis to come to power
Worldwide Depression (1929)
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Causes: WWI that caused loss of life, property damage, and war debt
Effects: Economies suffered (industry, trade, and shipping); businesses closed; loss of jobs; inflation (values of
money dropped and prices went up)
SS6H7a. Describe major developments following World War I: the Russian Revolution, The
Treaty of Versailles, worldwide depression, and the rise of Nazism.
Rise of Nazism (1933) leads to WWII
Causes:
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Hitler & Nazis offered solutions to economic problems
Promise to end unemployment and poverty
Convinced Germans they could protect them
Private, armed groups terrorized anyone who opposed them
Effects:
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Nationalism
Treaty of Versailles Violated
Militarism
Expanded territory
Did Not pay reparations
Jews (prosperous) blamed for economic problems
Consequences of Hitler’s power
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Democratic party was destroyed
Hitler became dictator
Hitler & Nazi Party dominated Germany
Persecution of six million Jews (Holocaust)
SS6H7b. Explain the impact of WWII in terms of the Holocaust, the origins of the Cold War, and
the rise of Superpowers.
Holocaust (1933-1945)
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Hitler persecuted and eliminated Jews
Forced Jews out of their homes
Gov’t took the property and businesses of Jews
Jews forced to work as slaves
Imprisoned Jews in Concentration Camps
More than 6 million Jews murdered
End of War – Jews afraid to go back home
Israel (1948) established as new Jewish homeland
Origins of the Cold War (1945)
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During WWII, the US & Soviet Union were allies against Germany
After WWII, Western European Countries established democratic governments
After WWII, Eastern European Countries established communist governments
Tension between US & USSR
Distrust and tension formed between the US & Soviet Union because of different political and economic beliefs
NEVER INVOLVED FIGHTING
Both countries stockpiled weapons in case of war and competed militarily, scientifically (Space Race), and
technologically
Rise of Superpowers
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By the end of WWII, the US & Soviet Union emerge as world superpowers because they had both military and
political strength
They both had the ability to influence world-wide events
SS6H7c. Explain how the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the end of the Cold War and German reunification
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The Soviet Union experienced economic problems because of money being spent on: Weapons buildup; Space
Race; Support & military involvement in Eastern European communist countries
Eastern European Countries: Command Economy (taught in economics unit) with government control and little
growth, couldn’t compete economically with Western European countries
Countries under Soviet control lacked food, goods and resources to meet their citizen needs
USSR (1985 under leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev) would no longer help Eastern European gov’ts with
domestic problems
Eastern European countries began to claim independence from Soviet rule
The Soviet Union collapsed due to economic and political issues and the fall of the Berlin Wall
Germany claims independence from USSR
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West Berlin (democracy)
East Berlin (communism)
East Germany relaxed border
Berlin Wall torn down (was first built to separate communist part of Berlin from democratic parts
USSR wouldn’t intervene
New government elected
German reunification (1990)